Zartan

Infobox G.I. Joe character
name = Zartan


caption =
affiliation = Dreadnoks
function = Master of Disguise
realname = UNKNOWN(Aliases too numerous to list)
birthplace = UNKNOWN
serial =
rank =
primaryMOS = Infiltration
secondaryMOS = Espionage
subgroup = Ninja Force
series =
voiceby = Zack Hoffman
debut = 1984Zartan is a character from the G.I.Joe Toyline, by Hasbro. He is a mercenary who often worked directly for Cobra Commander and is one of the main villains in the comic and Animated series.

=A Real American Hero=

Character Overview

When Zartan was originally released in the toy line, it stated on his file card that he suffered from Paranoid Schizophrenia and Multiple Personality Disorder. After a complaint from a mental health organization, Hasbro removed this information from the file for later print runs and was not referenced on file cards for future releases of the character.

Also, 'Zartan' is an anagram of 'Tarzan'. Although it has not been stated what the connection is, the general explanation seems to be their love for the jungle/swamp.

Hasbro Action Figures

Vintage

The 1984 Zartan action figure featured UV reactive plastic. In its natural state, Zartan appeared Caucasian, but when exposed to sunlight, Zartan's skin changed to a dark green. The Zartan figure also came with thermal sensitive stickers that were applied to Zartan's chest- and thigh-armor. These stickers changed from maroon when cold, to aqua at room temperature, and blue when hot. Zartan was sold with an accompanying "swamp skier" called the Chameleon, which also contained thermal reactive plastic, as did the action figures for Zartan's brother Zandar and sister Zarana.

Zartan was updated in 1993, as part of the Ninja Force line. A complete departure from his classic uniform, Zartan wore a leather jacket and neon green pants. Instead of a cowl, he wears a short orange mohawk on his otherwise bald head.

After the line was canceled in 1994, Hasbro made several attempts to resurrect A Real American Hero through repaint series. Zartan was released only once in this four year period (1997-2001) at the tail-end. Because of difficulty obtaining the original mold, Hasbro compromised, and repainted the 1990 SAW-Viper body with a modified Zartan head. Although true to the classic look, both this figure and the Ninja Force release are unpopular reinterpretations of the character.

Modern

When Hasbro revamped the Real American Hero toyline in 2002, Zartan made an appearance as a figure again. Zartan sports his trademark hood and an open vested shirt. This figure was offered with a variety of paint schemes including with disguises in the Spy Troops line.

In 2004, Zartan was redesigned again for Valor vs Venom. Trading his hood for a ski cap, Zartan is the furthest from his biker roots here, retaining only the recognizable face markings to make him stand out.

25th Anniversary

2007 is the Anniversary of the launch of G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero, the third major reinvention of the G.I.Joe brand since 1964. To celebrate, Hasbro created new figures, featuring modern sculpting with updated and increased articulation (including the replacement of GIJoe's trademark O-Ring construction). Zartan was unveiled at the San Diego Comic Con and the figure itself has a removable Mask and also changes color like the 1980s counterpart.

Comic Series

Marvel (Volume 1)

Zartan was first introduced in issue #24 and was created by Larry Hama. Zartan can imitate anyone he wishes to an exact physical and vocal likeness. This is done through a mix of holograms, illusions and hypnosis. Zartan is also fluent in twenty languages and dialects, a ventriloquist, an expert martial artist, master archer and the leader of the biker gang known as the Dreadnoks.

His first encounter with Cobra was when the man who would become Cobra Commander hired him to kill Snake-Eyes on Firefly's recommendation. Zartan entered the Arashikage dojo as the student of the clan's swordsmith Onihashi. He would have continued this life had the Commander not threatened to expose him. Using one of Storm Shadow's arrows, Zartan accidentally killed Storm Shadow's uncle, who was impersonating Snake Eyes at the time. This event destroyed the clan, and caused Storm Shadow to join Cobra in an attempt to find the real killer.

The exact details of how Zartan came to lead the Dreadnoks (at the time only Buzzer, Ripper and Torch) is unclear. Somewhere along the way, he became their leader and moved them from Australia to the Florida Everglades. Zartan and the Dreadnoks were used by Cobra as hired muscle for jobs that required his unique skills or jobs that required absolutely no finese at all. However, his relationship with Cobra was on and off, sometimes by choice and other times by brainwashing.

He began to expand the Dreadnoks, first adding his sister Zarana (who served as his second-in-command), brother Zandar, and the Thunder Machine driver Thrasher. Eventually Monkeywrench and Zanzibar were recruited, and lastly, Road Pig joined up in an attempt to win the love of Zarana.

Zartan was featured in issue #48, where he had been brought into the PITT, the Joe's Headquarters, disgusied as an injured member named Ripcord. He almost managed to escape, impersonating Joes one by one, such as Doc, Tripwire, Hawk and Gung-Ho. He was confronted by Sgt. Slaughter while impersonating Gung-Ho, who was right next to him. Zartan was knocked out with one punch, which was a 'lucky guess'.

Zartan is famous for delivering the killing blow to Serpentor during the Cobra Civil War by shooting the Cobra emperor with his longbow. After the war, Zartan eventually deserted Cobra and the Dreadnoks while his sister continued to work with Cobra Commander II. He briefly aided the Joes and suggested to them that Dr. Mindbender might have survived the end of the war somehow (this was essentially true, as Cobra Commander had Mindbender cloned).

He went on to work with Destro and retook the Silent Castle. At this time, Mindbender revealed to Cobra Commander that he had previously implanted brain implants in both Destro and Zartan--the trigger was the Commander's unmasked face. Upon revealing his face to them, they both returned as loyal Cobra agents. It was also around this time when Zartan sported a new look, including an orange mohawk and black jacket.

Devil's Due (Volume 2)

Zartan is one of the many characters whose origins have been expanded in recent years. Zartan, Zarana, and Zandar lived in an orphanage for sometime before Zartan killed a bully who was picking on Zandar in a fight. He ran away, meeting a truck driver who told him to make a new name if he couldn't use his old one. Sometime after he began working as an assassin and mercenary, using his disguise abilities. Zartan also worked for a government agency under the name Sanderson. He underwent a genetic experiment that infused him with chameleon DNA, giving him the ability to blend into his background.

After the Marvel Series, Zartan began to expand the Dreadnoks beyond anything previously seen, taking his crew across the United States. He started learning many fighting forms, such as Northern Praying Mantis, and close combat. It went from a simple gang of three to a national biker gang with a chapter in every major US city and several in Europe. It was also around this time his daughter Zanya found him. Zartan took her in. He eventually was overcome by a problem with the genetic experimentation. This problem eventually left him unable to go out into sunlight, causing him to lead the Dreadnoks through Zanya, who became his new second-in-command (much to the annoyance of Zarana, who left to lead the Chicago chapter).

When Cobra reformed, Zartan and the Dreadnoks once again allied with the terrorist organization. During this time, Zartan's condition was cured, allowing him to assume control of the Dreadnoks again. This alliance lasted until Cobra's defeat at the Monolith Base. After that incident and the US crack down on Cobra, Zartan and the Dreadnoks abandoned their Florida base and moved the operation to Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

America's Elite

In Issue #6, Zartan reveals his schizophrenic nature. Confusing who he really is with the identities he has assumed, Zartan ventures to his Florida Compound for the medicine that will keep his mental state stable. His current fragile state of mind is known only by his siblings and his daughter.

Animated Series

unbow

Zartan first appeared in the "Revenge of Cobra" mini-series along with Dreadnok members Buzzer, Ripper and Torch. He and the Dreadnoks abduct Colonel Sharp so Zartan can impersonate him and free Cobra Commander from prison. In the cartoon his disguise techniques are all masks and make-up. He is also able to change the color of his skin to perfectly blend in with his background. Zartan's camouflage abilities are negated by the sun, causing his skin to turn blue and weakening him significantly.

Zartan appeared through out season one of the cartoon and was one of the few Cobra characters to carry over to season two along with Cobra Commader, Baroness and Destro. In the second season of G.I. Joe, he expanded the Dreadnoks to include his younger siblings, Zarana and Zandar, as well as Monkeywrench and Thunder Machine driver Thrasher. The Zartan of the cartoon had a rivalry with Destro, who considered Zartan a petty criminal. He was also a more cowardly character, often fleeing battle when things turned against him, his loyalty usually lay with Cobra Commander, even after Serpentor took control of Cobra.

The Movie

Zartan is given a valuable gem by Pythona of Cobra-La so that he and his Dreadnoks will aid them in freeing Serpentor. They accomplish their task, but Zartan himself is curiously absent from then on, and is not seen during the final battle at the film's climax. Here he is seen angry with Cobra Commander for blaming the troops for lacking courage.

DIC

Zartan does not appear in the DIC produced Season Three, but his sister Zarana does, and the Dreadnoks are still working for Cobra, so it can be assumed Zartan is still around.

=Sigma 6=

Hasbro Action Figures

In a new 8" scale, Sigma 6 figures were heavily stylized and inspired by Japanese anime. Zartan released in the "Commando" collection in 2006, featuring his Sigma 6 outfit. A repaint of this figure was released in 2007, featuring a new version of Zartan called "Toxic Zartan" featuring a new purple uniform, and green highlights.

Comic Series

Devil's Due created a mini-series based on Sigma 6. It follows the style and the content of the cartoon series, spotlighting a different member of Sigma 6 and Cobra in each issue.

Animated Series

Zartan appeared in the Spy Troops DVD and in the Sigma 6 series, with his disguise techniques now due to hologram generators in his suit. In Sigma 6 however, he possesses a slight Australian accent.

Other Media

Zartan appeared in the "Robot Chicken" episode "More Blood, More Chocolate" voiced by Seth Green. In the Weather Dominator episode of the "Inside the Battlefield" segment, the Palace of Doom was jokingly referred to as his mother-in-law's house.

=Live-action film=Zartan will be played by Arnold Vosloo. The film is scheduled for an Aug. 7, 2009 release.